Cover

ABSTRACT

Described are lid protection systems. These systems include a cover configured to protect at least a mouth portion of a lid. The cover can be configured to not substantially affect stackability of the lids to which they are applied.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/673,656 filed on May 18, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Described herein are covers that keep lids sterile during beverage preparation.

SUMMARY

Virtually every time a drink is prepared at a local coffee shop or other beverage location, a lid is placed on the top of the serving cup once the beverage has been prepared. This lid often times has a hole that allows a consumer to drink the beverage inside the cup. In order to consume the beverage through the lid's hole, a consumer must place their lips on the lid thereby exposing their mouth to contaminants on the lid.

Described herein are lid protection systems that can include lids, lid covers, lid systems, and methods of preventing consumer exposure to lid contamination. The systems described herein can include a lid and a removable cover for the lid. In some embodiments, the cover is disposable and/or biodegradable.

The covers can be used to prevent contamination when a lid is installed on a cup and then subsequently removed by a consumer for consumption of the beverage.

In other embodiments, the covers can be used to prevent contamination when a lid is installed on a cup and then subsequently removed and replaced by a consumer when consuming a beverage and then reinstalled when not consuming.

In some embodiments, the lid protection systems comprise a removable cover configured to protect at least a mouth portion of a lid. In one embodiment, the cover does not substantially affect stackability of the lid. The covers can be biodegradable and/or recyclable. The cover can include a tab and that tab can be configured to peel the cover off the lid. The cover can be vacuum sealed to the lid, thereby conforming to the lid's surface. In some embodiments, vacuum sealing the cover to the lid allows the lid with the cover to be spill proof.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the cover is permanently bonded to the lid.

In some embodiments, the cover protects substantially all of the outer surface of the lid and/or protects substantially all of the inner surface of the lid. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a second cover that does not cover the mouth portion. The second cover can protect substantially all of the inner surface of the lid.

In some embodiments, a lid protection system can comprise a beverage container lid and a cover configured to protect the outer surface of the beverage container lid. In some embodiments, the cover does not substantially affect stackability of the beverage container lid and/or the cover includes a tab configured to peel the cover from the lid.

Methods of protecting the mouth portion of a lid from contamination are also described. The methods can comprise peeling a cover off of a lid to provide a protected surface. In some embodiments, the cover protects at least the mouth portion of the lid when the lid is installed. In some embodiments, the peeling is by a tab included on the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a lid system including a lid and cover as described herein being placed on a beverage container.

FIG. 2-3 illustrates a lid system being used when pushing the lid down and securing it on the rim of the beverage container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a consumer beginning to peel the cover off of the lid using an optional tab.

FIG. 5 illustrates a consumer further peeling the cover off of the lid.

FIG. 6 illustrates a consumer disposing a biodegradable cover in a recycle container.

FIG. 7 illustrates a lid cover that is attached at a location on the lid to allow the cover the be placed back over the lid and/or to prevent an extra waste piece.

FIG. 8 illustrates another lid system including a lid and cover covering a portion of the lid.

FIG. 9 illustrates stackability of lids having an outer cover.

FIG. 10 illustrates stackability of lids having an outer cover and an inner cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are lids, lid covers, lid systems, and methods of preventing consumer exposure to lid contamination. The systems described herein can include a lid and a removable cover for the lid.

The covers described herein may be used with lids for beverage containers. Beverage containers can be cups or other vessels that hold beverages. The housed beverages can be hot or cold beverages.

Further, the beverages can be liquids, semi-solids, emulsions, liquids and solids such as liquid and ice, gels, or the like.

The lids described herein can be used on virtually any container. In some embodiments, the container is a cup such as a cup with a rim. However, in other embodiments, the container may not fit within the general shape of a cup. For example, cups have generally circular cross sections. Cups and containers can have other cross-sectional shapes such as, but not limited to, oval, elliptical, torx, star, square, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or other rectilinear or circular shape.

Likewise, the top rim of a cup or container generally is circular. However, cups and containers can have shaped rims such as, but not limited to, oval, elliptical, torx, star, square, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or other rectilinear or circular shape.

An example lid and cover system 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1. A cover 102 is provided for lid 104. Lid 104 is configured to be attached to rim 106 of cup 108. In some embodiments, a cup or container may not have a pronounced rim, but a lid will still attach to an un-pronounced rim. A beverage (not illustrated) is included in void 110.

Lid 104 can attach to rim 106 by any type of attachment. Types of attachments can include, but are not limited to, friction fit, tongue and groove, wedge, interlocking, hook in loom, snap, hinge, adhesive, or the like, or a combination thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, lid 104 is attached to rim 106 using a friction fir between rim 106 and lid ring 112.

Lid 104 can include a mouth portion 114 where a consumer places their lips to drink the beverage from cup 108. Within mouth portion 114 is a hole 116. Hole 116 can be virtually any shape that allows a beverage to transfer from the cup through the lid to a location outside the cup and lid combination. In one embodiment, that location outside the cup and lid combination is in a consumer's mouth. However, hole 116 can be used to empty the beverage from cup and lid combination to a location other than a consumer's mouth. For example, that other location may be a sink, trash can, another person's mouth (e.g., child), or the like.

Conventionally, when placing a lid on a cup or container, a person's hand places the lid on the cup and exerts the pressure necessary to attach the lid to the cup. This action is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a user's hand 202 can be used to align lid ring 112 with rim 106 and move it toward rim 106. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the user applies pressure to lid 104 to secure it to rim 106. This pressure application most probably exposes lid 104 and mouth portion 114 to a user's palm face 206 and fingers 204, 204′.

As this process occurs, the user's fingers 204, 204′ and/or palm face 206 inevitably comes in contact with at least a portion of lid 104. Many times, the user's fingers 204, 204′ and/or palm face 206 inevitably comes in contact with mouth portion 114. When the user's the user's fingers 204, 204′ and/or palm face 206 comes in contact with lid 104 or mouth portion 114, contaminants are transferred to the lid mouth portion even if the user is wearing a glove.

Thus, the herein described covers, when used in combination with a lid can prevent the transfer of contaminants from a user's hand, fingers, and/or palm face to the lid and/or mouth portion.

Cover 102 can provide protection to at least a portion of lid 104. As illustrated in FIG. 1, cover 102 covers at least mouth portion 114. Therein, cover 102 protects all of the top surface of lid 104 except lid ring 112. In some embodiments, cover 102 can protect lid ring 112 as well as the entire top surface of lid 104.

Lid 104 in FIG. 1 includes a recess 118 and inner wall 120 which provides a convenient location for mouth portion to allow one lip to secure on inner wall 120 adjacent to hole 116. However, in other embodiments, a lid may not have a recess 118 and inner wall 120, but rather just be a generally flat surface with a hole. In other embodiments, the lid's upper surface may be more complex than that illustrated in FIG. 1. However, with more and less complex lids, the protection provided by cover 102 is not diminished.

Cover 102 can be formed of virtually any material that can prevent contamination of lid 104 through cover 102. Materials used to form covers can be biodegradable and/or recyclable. In some embodiments, covers can be formed of a material(s) that is at least partially biodegradable and/or recyclable. Materials used to form covers can be a metal or alloy thereof, a polymer, or a combination thereof.

Metals can include, but are not limited to, brass, steel, iron, aluminum, copper, zinc, alloys thereof, or combinations thereof. Polymers can include, but are not limited to polyurethanes, silicones, polyesters such as polyolefins, polyisobutylene and ethylene-alphaolefin copolymers; acrylic polymers and copolymers, ethylene-co-vinylacetate, polybutylmethacrylate, vinyl halide polymers and copolymers, such as polyvinyl chloride; polyvinyl ethers, such as polyvinyl methyl ether; polyvinylidene halides, such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride; polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones; polyvinyl aromatics, such as polystyrene, polyvinyl esters, such as polyvinyl acetate; copolymers of vinyl monomers with each other and olefins, such as ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; polyamides, such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactam; alkyd resins; polycarbonates; polyoxymethylenes; polyimides; polyethers; epoxy resins, polyurethanes; rayon; rayon-triacetate; cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate; cellulose acetate butyrate; cellophane; cellulose nitrate; cellulose propionate; cellulose ethers; carboxymethyl cellulose; synthetic and natural rubbers such as polysiloxanes, latex, polymerized isoprene, bromo isobutylene isoprene, chloro isobutylene isoprene, polychloroprene, chlorosulphonated polyethylene, ethylene propylene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, fluoro silicone, hydrogenated nitrile butadiene, polyisoprene, isobutylene isoprene butyl, methyl vinyl silicone, acrylonitrile butadiene, acrylonitrile butadiene carboxy monomer, styrene butadiene, epichlorodydrin; and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, covers can be formed of food based materials such a rice paper, agricultural polymers, starch based materials, hydrocolloid films, polypeptide films, lipid films, protein-based edible polymers like rapeseed protein blended with gelatin, polysaccharide films, fat-based films, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, cover 102 is a thin film of polymeric material.

In some embodiments, the covers can be transparent or partially transparent. Transparent or partially transparent can mean that the covers are greater than about 10% transparent, greater than about 20% transparent, greater than about 30% transparent, greater than about 40% transparent, greater than about 50% transparent, greater than about 60% transparent, greater than about 70% transparent, greater than about 80% transparent, greater than about 90% transparent, or greater than about 99% transparent. In other embodiments, the covers can be opaque.

Further, the covers can be colored. A colored cover can provide a visual cue that a lid has a cover on it. Often a transparent non-colored cover is not highly visible and may not appear to be present. Thus, a cover can be colored to contrast with the color of a lid. For example, covers can be red, blue, green, yellow, brown, black, white, purple, orange, or a combination thereof.

Further, the covers can have a printable surface. A printable surface allowed for text and/or illustrations to be printed on the cover. In some embodiments, this allows for advertisement on an otherwise unprintable lid.

Cover 102 can be applied to lid using vacuum sealing techniques to ensure that cover 102 is sealed against virtually all portions of lid 102's upper surface. However, in other embodiments, cover may not seal against all portions of lid 102's upper surface, but can still protect all portions of lid 102's upper surface. For example, a cover may not protrude into recess 118, but seal to lid rim 122 and remain above recess 118. This configuration still protects recess 118. Other cover configurations can also exist.

In some embodiments, vacuum sealing the cover to the lid allows the lid with the cover to be spill proof when installed on a container. Spill proof can mean that the cover plugs the hole in the lid.

In still other embodiments, the cover may be sealed around its outer edge and freely and/or loosely associated with the lid at its other portions. This configuration can allow for stackability and protection of the lid's outer surface.

In some embodiments, the face of cover 102 that faces a lid surface can include an adhesive that removably bonds the cover to the lid surface. Adhesive can be food grade adhesives or at least adhesives that are not harmful to humans.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate a consumer or beverage provider to peeling cover 102 off of lid 104. Cover is removed using tab 124. However, in some embodiments, a tab is not included and a consumer or beverage provider simply peels cover 102 from lid 104 using an edge 126 of cover 102. Once cover 102 is removed from lid 104, any contamination is removed with cover 102 thereby leaving a clean, contamination free or substantially contamination free lid and moth portion.

FIG. 6 illustrates a consumer or beverage provider disposing cover 102 in a refuse container 602. In some embodiments, disposal container is a recycle container. In one embodiment, cover 102 is completely removable from lid 104 and can be discarded in a refuse container.

In other embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 7, a cover many include a portion that is adhered to lid 104. Cover 102 in FIG. 7 is attached at a location 702 on lid 104 to allow cover 102 to be placed back over the lid 104 and/or to prevent an extra waste piece by coupling the lid and cover to dispose as a single item.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 8 a lid system 800 may only cover a portion of lid 104. Therein, mouth portion 114 is protected by cover 802. Cover 802 protects only a portion of recess 118 and lid rim 122. In other embodiments, more or less of recess and/or lid rim 122 can be protected as long as mouth portion 114 is protected. In some embodiments, cover 802 include a tab 804 used to remove cover 802.

In some embodiments, hole 116 is not protected by cover 102. In such embodiments, hole 116 is not covered to allow gas expansion of warm or hot liquids to escape or to allow a stir stick to be inserted while cover 102 is still protecting lid 104.

In some embodiments, hole 116 is not present in a lid, but rather is a perforated portion that is removed with a cover. In such an embodiment, a hole perforation portion is bonded to cover so that when a cover is removed from a lid, the hole is created when hole perforation portion is removed with the cover.

In the beverage lid industry, stackability can be important. The herein described lid and cover systems can be provided in such a condition that stackability is not affected or is not substantially affected. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in some embodiments, when a cover conforms to a lid's top surface, a second lid 904 can nest within bottom surface 906 of first lid 908. Likewise, a third lid 910 can nest within bottom surface 912 of second lid 904, a fourth lid 914 can nest within bottom surface 916 of third lid 910, a fifth lid 918 can nest within bottom surface 920 of fourth lid 914, a sixth lid 922 can nest within bottom surface 924 of fifth lid 918, and so on. Further, the top surface protected by a cover can nest with the bottom surface of the lid above. For example, cover 926 of second lid 904 can nest within bottom surface 906, cover 928 of third lid 910 can nest within bottom surface 912, cover 930 of fourth lid 914 can nest within bottom surface 916, cover 932 of fifth lid 918 can nest within bottom surface 920, cover 934 of sixth lid 922 can nest within bottom surface 924, and so on. Thus, stackability is not substantially affected.

In some embodiments, lids can be stacked more or less tightly as needed without affecting the functionality of the covers, lids, systems, and methods described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates stackability of lids having an outer cover 1002 and an inner cover 1004. Outer cover 1002 and an inner cover 1004 can be one single unit or can be two separate covers. To use a dual cover embodiment, a user can first peel off inner cover 1004 using second tab 1006. If the outer cover 1002 and an inner cover 1004 are a single unit, the user can apply the lid to a container while outer cover 1002 is still installed and the continue removing it once the lid is installed on a container.

Alternatively, if outer cover 1002 and an inner cover 1004 are two separate pieces, a user can first peel off inner cover 1004 using second tab 1006. The lid can then be installed as described herein. Once installed, the user can then peel of the outer cover 1002 using tab 1008 (similar to tab 124).

In either embodiment including an inner cover 1004 and an outer cover 1002, the lid is protected on its inside and outside during transport and installation on a container.

Further, stackability may not be compromised when using an inner cover 1004 and an outer cover 1002. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, when outer an cover conforms to a lid's top surface and an inner cover conforms to a lid's inner surface, a second lid 1010 can nest within a bottom surface of first lid 1012 despite inner cover 1014 and outer cover 1016. Likewise, a third lid 1018 can nest within a bottom surface of second lid 1010 despite inner cover 1020 and outer cover 1022, a fourth lid 1024 can nest within a bottom surface of third lid 1018 despite inner cover 1026 and outer cover 1028, a fifth lid 1030 can nest within a bottom surface of fourth lid 1024 despite inner cover 1032 and outer cover 1034, a sixth lid 1036 can nest within a bottom surface of fifth lid 1030 despite inner cover 1038 and outer cover 1040, and so on. Thus, stackability is not substantially affected despite an inner cover and an outer cover.

Example 1 Coffee

A woman orders a coffee at a local coffee shop. The coffee is prepared and poured into an appropriate cup. A lid is taken from a stack of lids. The lid includes a cover as described herein on its outer surface. The barista applies the lid onto the coffee cup and places the cup on the counter for the woman.

The woman takes the coffee cup and peels the cover off the lid to reveal a protected contamination free outer surface.

Example 2 Tea

A man orders a hot tea at a local coffee shop. The coffee is prepared and poured into an appropriate cup. A lid is taken from a stack of lids. The lid includes a cover as described herein on its inner and outer surfaces. The cover is a two piece cover. The barista removes the inner cover by peeling it off revealing a protected contamination free inner surface. The barista then applies the lid onto the cup and places the cup on the counter for the man.

The man takes the cup and peels the cover off the outer surface of lid to reveal a protected contamination free outer surface.

Example 3 Iced Latte

A man orders an iced latte at a local coffee shop. The latte is prepared and poured into an appropriate cup over ice. A lid is taken from a stack of lids. The lid includes a cover as described herein on its outer surface wherein the cover includes a portion bonded to a hole cover. The barista applies the lid onto the cup and places the cup on the counter for the man.

The man takes the cup and peels the cover off the lid to reveal a protected contamination free outer surface and opening the hole to drink the iced latte.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Furthermore, numerous references have been made to patents and printed publications throughout this specification. Each of the above-cited references and printed publications are individually incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described. 

We claim:
 1. A lid protection system comprising: a cover configured to protect at least a mouth portion of a lid, wherein the cover is removable and does not substantially affect stackability of the lid.
 2. The lid protection system of claim 1, wherein the cover is biodegradable.
 3. The lid protection system of claim 1, wherein the cover is recyclable.
 4. The lid protection system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cover is permanently bonded to the lid.
 5. The lid protection system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a tab.
 6. The lid protection system of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to peel off the lid.
 7. The lid protection system of claim 1, wherein the cover is vacuum sealed to the lid.
 8. The lid protection system of claim 1, wherein the cover conforms to a surface of the lid.
 9. The lid protection system of claim 1, wherein the cover protects substantially all of the outer surface of the lid.
 10. The lid protection system of claim 9, wherein the cover protects substantially all of the inner surface of the lid.
 11. The lid protection system of claim 1, further comprising a second cover that does not cover the mouth portion.
 12. The lid protection system of claim 11, wherein the second cover protects substantially all of the inner surface of the lid.
 13. A method of protecting a mouth portion of a lid from contamination, the method comprising: peeling a cover off of the lid to provide a protected surface, wherein the cover protects at least the mouth portion of the lid when the lid is installed.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cover is biodegradable.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the cover is recyclable.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the peeling is by a tab included on the cover.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the cover is vacuum sealed to the lid.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the cover conforms to an outer surface of the lid.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the cover protects substantially all of an outer surface of the lid from contamination.
 20. A lid protection system comprising: a beverage container lid, and a cover configured to protect an outer surface of the beverage container lid, wherein the cover does not substantially affect stackability of the beverage container lid, and wherein the cover includes a tab configured to peel the cover from the lid. 